Well, I’m new and have a question. I am thinking of using an Atlas 12.5 Deg Crossing with one track being DCC and the other DC. Are the tracks on the crossing completely isolated from each other and if so am I just asking for trouble doing this. The last layout I did was 25 years ago and I’ve never used a crossing. Knowledge and opinions PLEASE
For DC or DCC use, the two sides of the crossing would have to be isolated from each other. Depending on your track configuration, a nonisolated crossing would give you a short.
As Tom indicated, any (working) crossing is electrically isolated. The one thing about the Atlas crossings is that they are noisy and rough operationally. I repeatedly filed and pared down the plastic insulation on an Atlas 60-degree crossing before finally switching to a Walthers/Shinohara crossing. MUCH quieter now and it looks better. Unfortunately, Walthers/Shinohara doesn’t manufacture a 12.5-degree crossing.
Tom